Coventry special event Sunday 13 September 15 Report

Wyvern, it does make a difference because it would not have been part of the CAA-approved display routine. It would have presented n o risk because it would have been a simple straight and level flight, but the CAA would have required the departure from a normal display to have been practiced and approved, as usual. The CAA would have to make a judgement on the actions of a pilot who is undoubtedly far more experienced than they are, such is the absurdity of the CAA’s relationship with the Vulcan.

I think a lot of people hope that the last flight will include a roll of some sort but I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to happen because of the CAA. I guess Kevin Rumens might like to risk the wrath of the CAA if he’s proposing to hang-up his flying boots, but I doubt if he’d want the hassle. The sad aspect of this is that a half loop and roll off the top could certainly fall outside of the “aerobatic” category, given that it was precisely the manoeuvre that the aircraft was designed to perform, and a manoeuvre that it did perform many, many times.

What would it achieve? Absolutely nothing. A bit like all air displays they do not achieve anything from crazy flying at Hendon to Cosford they never have, although possibly in the past they promoted flying.

As for the Vulcan, to go out as she came in?

I don’t think a Vulcan flying over a Shackleton makes one iota of difference to the CAA, Tim, it’s still a risky thing for them to allow in light of Shorehams tragedy.

And as for the Vulcan doing a complete roll, what would that achieve exactly?

Rob

I considered going to the event but I had a feeling that it wouldn’t be as good as it could have been. Surely, the event was a golden opportunity for a unique photograph of the Vulcan flying over the Shackleton, and yet the Vulcan crew maintained the usual respectful distance from the Shackleton, as I feared. Okay, we know the CAA rules are the reason behind this but surely a bit of effort and goodwill could have produced a solution for exceptional circumstances. One low flypast approaching from directly behind the Shackleton would have produced an image that would have endured for years, without even the slightest safety risk to anyone. Seems like an opportunity wasted to me.

Thanks suthg, much appreciated.

David, really not sure exactly what he was expecting at Coventry it is a difficult site for an air show. I don’t think it is now reasonable to expect anything that isn’t in the manual whatever we might want to see. I don’t think we are going to see that 360 roll on the last day we were all secretly hoping for, however unrealistically. 😀

Reading the previous comments on the ‘energy’ of the display at Coventry from the Vulcan and the contributor to her -maybe he should have put his money into a Pitts rebuild all those years ago !

Thanks for the lovely photos Paul.

If the weather that Coventry has had today had arrived yesterday the whole show would have been cancelled. It has been heavy rain for much of the day.

Moving into the restoration hanger access was available from the middle of the hanger enabling shots that were not possible at my last visit.

So frontal views of DH Rapide/Dominie RL958 were possible.

DH RAPIDE/DOMINIE RL958 CAF COVENTRY 13SEP15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

DH RAPIDE/DOMINIE RL958 CAF COVENTRY 13SEP15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

DH RAPIDE/DOMINIE RL958 CAF COVENTRY 13SEP15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

Just found this comment on the VTTS Facebook site

Was lovely seeing the Vulcan yesterday at Coventry, it’s so nice seeing her in the air. I have to say though the de haviland dove giving pleasure flights did a more energetic display. I like most people were very disappointed. That will likely be the last memory I have of seeing the Vulcan and it was a let down. I appreciate the work everyone has put in to actually getting it in the air in the first place but people like me and my dad who have helped fund it from the beginning and made a special journey of hours to see it for about 10 minutes barely got anything back.

With 7 Likes.

To which they replied

XH558 is restricted to less angle of bank and climbs (at present), when flying over land-based displays. Travel to Southport this coming weekend to see a more dynamic display over the sea. As it is, her crews are all doing the right thing and adhering to the post-Shoreham CAA regulations.

With 33 Likes.

Maybe we should have likes and dislikes on the forum?

Indeed Charlie. I think this is the project that needs our financial support.

Wonderful, Paul!! Just makes you salivate at the thought of seeing one fly!!:eagerness:

Shackleton on her taxi run

The background noise is the Nimrod GPS running.

AVRO VULCAN XH558 COVENTRY FAREWELL 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

How long before we see this view reversed? – with the Shackleton overflying the sadly grounded Vulcan.

Ken

Hopefully to follow, a pictorial look around CAF external site and inside the repair hanger in which there was excellent access.

And now what it was all about Farewell to the mighty Vulcan.

There are, of course, many pictures of 558 far better than mine so just a few that were unusual for me.

Not what was originally planned …..

558 saying goodbye to her Avro sister

AVRO VULCAN XH558 COVENTRY FAREWELL 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

Possibly the closest I have been to a flying Vulcan

AVRO VULCAN XH558 COVENTRY FAREWELL 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

AVRO VULCAN XH558 COVENTRY FAREWELL 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

My farewell to the Vulcan……with a little help from PS

AVRO VULCAN XH558 COVENTRY FAREWELL 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

Great! Wish I was there.
A few photos from the static on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/CanvasWings/status/643043936827785217
Twitter search

A DH87B Hornet Moth but I wasn’t too sure of it’s registration.

DH 87B HORNET MOTH G-AESE 13 SEP 15 COVENTRY by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

Ah I see might be G-AESE but not too sure.

DH 87B HORNET MOTH G-AESE 13 SEP 15 COVENTRY by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

DH 87B HORNET MOTH G-AESE 13 SEP 15 COVENTRY by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

DH 87B HORNET MOTH G-AESE 13 SEP 15 COVENTRY by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

From CAF Venom WK436 and Meteor NF11 WM167

CAF METEOR NF11 WM167 VENOM WK436 COVENTRY 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

CAF METEOR NF11 WM167 VENOM WK436 COVENTRY 13 SEP 15 by p_meddemmen, on Flickr

CAF METEOR NF11 WM167 VENOM WK436 COVENTRY 13 SEP 15 by p_meddemmen, on Flickr

WR963 stretching her legs. All went very well, just a slight reluctance for one engine to start.

IMG_6048 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

IMG_6058 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

IMG_6060 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

IMG_6067 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

A few pictures from this event and what was seen at CAF.

VENOM START COVENTRY 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]

VENOM START COVENTRY 13 SEP 15 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/35969498@N02/]